Summer heat waves can push any air conditioner to its limits. As temperatures in Mount Horeb rise, it’s common to notice higher energy bills, uneven temperatures throughout the home and cooling systems that often run all day without keeping up.
People often think the air conditioner is the only thing that affects how comfortable your home feels. The fact is, your home’s airflow, insulation and shade all play an important role in cooling performance.
This guide covers three effective strategies that can improve comfort and cooling efficiency: increasing airflow in your home, making sure your home has adequate insulation and creating shade to reduce heat from the sun. By following these summer AC tips from the pros at JW Brager Heating and Cooling, you’ll keep your house cool in even the hottest weather.
Start with Airflow: Improve Airflow for Better Cooling
Air conditioners cool the air and send it through ductwork to the rooms in your home. For that cool air to keep your home comfortable, it has to move freely throughout your house. If airflow is restricted, some rooms may not cool properly.
Many people blame their air conditioning system for poor cooling performance. In many cases, the AC is often working properly—the real problem is poor airflow. Dirty air filters, blocked vents and other HVAC issues can all inhibit airflow.
Home Airflow Optimization Tips
Taking steps to boost airflow in your home can enhance comfort, minimize strain on your AC and lower energy costs.
- Change dirty air filters. Consistent AC air filter replacement helps your HVAC system increase airflow while supporting indoor air quality.
- Makesure supply and return vents are free from obstructions. Furniture, rugs and curtains can cause blocked air vents that prevent cooled air from circulating throughout your home.
- Keep interior doors open. This helps air to move more evenly between rooms.
- Relocate furniture covering registers.Keeping registers clear allows conditioned air to circulate freely.
- Schedule preventiveAC maintenance services. As part of a professional HVAC tune-up, a technician can check and clean dirty blower components that may reduce your system’s ability to circulate air.
Insulation Matters More Than Most Homeowners Realize
Insulation provides a barrier against outdoor heat. Although your air conditioner removes heat from inside your home, insulation helps keep that heat from getting inside. High-quality insulation increases comfort, lowers cooling run times and can help maximize the life of your HVAC system.
The attic is one of the largest sources of unwanted heat gain during summer. Proper attic insulation and cooling are closely connected because attic insulation limits heat transfer through the roof. Sealing gaps and sealing around doors and windows also help prevent hot outdoor air from sneaking inside.
When insulation levels are too low or air leaks allow hot air to sneak inside, your AC has to work harder. This often causes homeowners to ask, “Why is my house hot with the AC running?” In many cases, insufficient insulation—not the air conditioner—is the problem.
Signs of Inadequate Home Insulation Levels
- Upper floor rooms are always hot
- Inconsistent room temperatures
- High utilitybills
- AnAC system that runs nonstop
Use Shade to Reduce Heat Gain
Sunlight coming through windows and warming your roof and exterior walls boosts indoor temperatures, forcing your air conditioner to work harder.
Direct sunlight can also reduce the efficiency of your outdoor cooling unit by making it more difficult to release heat efficiently. Creating shade around your property can reduce solar heat gain, improve comfort and lower summer energy bills. Shading your air conditioner’s outdoor unit can also help—but never restrict airflow around the condenser. Keep away fences, enclosures or dense landscaping that limit air movement.
5 Summer AC Tips for Using Shade to Cool Your Home
- Plant trees and landscaping strategically. Use trees to shade your roof, walls, windows and outdoor AC equipment. While providing shade for your outdoor AC unit, maintain at least 2–3 feet of clearance on all sides and 5 feet above the unit to allow for enough airflow.
- Use window coverings. Light-colored curtains, cellular shades and thermal drapes limit heat gain from sunlight shining through windows.
- Install solar screens in your home. Solar screens, which are specially designed mesh curtains, used on sun-facing windows help reduce the sun’s heat while still letting in natural light.
- Incorporate outdoor shade. Add landscaping and design features such as awnings, pergolas, shade sails or exterior shutters to block direct sunlight off windows so it doesn’t heat up your home.
- Lower blinds in the afternoon heat. Shut blinds or shades closed on west- and south-facing windows during the hottest part of the day to reduce indoor temperatures and lighten the load on your AC.
Additional Hot Weather Survival Tips
Airflow, insulation and shade can make a big difference, but these AC efficiency tips can further improve comfort during periods of extreme summer heat.
- Change ceiling fan direction. Operate ceiling fans counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze.
- Avoid heat-generating appliances during the hottest part of the day. Operate ovens, dryers and dishwashers in the morning or evening to limit indoor heat.
- Manage thermostat settings. Avoid frequent temperature changes that make your AC to work harder.
- Arrange preventative maintenance. Routine service helps your system perform efficiently before peak cooling season.
- Pay attention to unusual system performance. Address strange noises, weak airflow or inconsistent cooling before they become more extensive repairs.
The Importance of Knowing When It’s Time to Contact an HVAC Professional
DIY AC maintenance and efficiency-focused cooling strategies can help, but some problems call for professional attention. If you notice warm air is coming from your vents, airflow feels weak, your air conditioning seems to run constantly, energy bills spike, rooms cool unevenly or your system turns on and off repeatedly, it’s time for an expert evaluation.
At JW Brager Heating and Cooling, our cooling specialists evaluate airflow, duct performance, insulation-related comfort concerns and overall system health to pinpoint the real cause to help your HVAC system perform at its best throughout the summer.
Keep Your Cool All Summer Long
Staying comfortably cool during a heat wave takes more than just your AC. Proper airflow, adequate insulation and strategic shade work together to increase comfort, increase efficiency and lower cooling costs. Combined with regular summer HVAC maintenance, these strategies can help your system operate at its best when you need it most.
has the expertise and experience to keep you comfortable in even the hottest weather. If you’re in need of AC maintenance, a cooling system inspection, an airflow evaluation or a complete summer tune-up, our team can help boost efficiency and comfort during hot summers. Schedule cooling services online or call today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooling Your Home in Summer
Why is my home still hot even when the air conditioner is running?
If your home is hot even though your AC is running, the problem isn’t always your air conditioner. Restricted airflow, inadequate insulation, inefficient thermostat settings or HVAC system issues can all reduce cooling performance and prevent cool air from reaching every room.
Does adding shade really help cut cooling costs?
Absolutely. Trees, landscaping, awnings and window coverings help reduce solar heat gain, helping your home stay cooler. Less heat entering your home means your air conditioning doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home. That uses less energy, which helps decrease your cooling expenses.
How often should I change my HVAC air filter throughout the cooling season?
For most homes, homeowners should check their air filter every month during the busiest cooling season and replace it as necessary. The ideal air filter replacement schedule depends on the air filter you use, pets, allergies and the amount of time your air conditioner runs.
Can insulation {help|make my air conditioner perform better?
Yes. Proper home insulation limits heat transfer into your home, reducing strain on your air conditioner. Verifying your home has appropriate insulation levels, especially in your attic or around windows, helps keep more consistent indoor temperatures while using less energy.
Should I cover up my outdoor AC unit during hot weather?
No. You should never cover your outdoor air conditioning unit while it’s running because the condenser needs open airflow to release heat. Providing shade for your outdoor air conditioning unit is a good idea, but always make sure there’s at least 2–3 feet of clearance around the unit and 5 feet above it to provide proper airflow.
What temperature should I keep my thermostat at when it’s hot outside?
For many homes, setting the thermostat around 78 degrees when you’re home offers a good balance of comfort and energy efficiency during very hot weather. Use the highest temperature that keeps your family comfortable, and don’t make large thermostat adjustments that force your AC to work harder.